Athena
"Have you called Tristan yet?" I asked Sebastian as he delicately dried my hair, treating me with the gentleness reserved for a five-year-old child.
"Not yet. But don't worry, I will talk to him soon."
"Okay," I leaned against him, taking advantage of his proximity, "Have you considered the good news?"
"What news?" He inquired, continuing to dry my hair.
Ah, so he hadn't thought about it yet.
"We can find out our baby's gender now," a smile tugged at my lips. "The pain was worth it after all. We won't have to wait much longer."
His expression shifted, betraying a lack of excitement mirrored in my own. He set the dryer aside, turning the stool to face me.
"It must have hurt a lot," he said, his eyes shimmering with tears as he cradled my face in his hands.
My expression softened and I grasped his hands, "Not as much as you think," I offered him a faint smile. "But it's gone now, so let's not dwell on it, okay?"
"Athena..." He sighed heavily, " I understand your feelings. I know how much you want to bring our baby into this world and believe me, I share that desire. But you have to prioritise yourself as well. You can't solely think about me and the baby. What about you? Have you considered how much you can endure?"
"I'm not entirely sure, Sebastian....But you know, I'm not giving up on our child. You told me we'd fight."
"We will. I'm still committed to fighting alongside you, but... there's something I need to tell you. Just like everyone else, I have my limits too. I can be your shield, I can fight for you with all my strength, but if things ever spiral out of control, it's you I would choose."
So between me and our baby, he'd choose me? That's not what I wanted.
"Sebastian..."
"No, Athena. This is my decision. I will choose you," he declared firmly. "I'm willing to fight with all my heart and soul, to defy destiny's path, to carve new roads ahead and give our child a chance to enter this world. But if it comes at the cost of your life, nothing is worth it. Our children should never have to live with the knowledge that they took their mother's life to survive. They would be branded as a killer, and is that the future you want for them?"
"No, I don't..." tears welled up in my eyes. "How could a mother ever want such a life for her child?"
"Then promise me that you'll fight, but not to the point where it becomes unbearable. Understand that... Some choices in life are difficult, but we must make them nonetheless. If our baby is meant to come into this world, nothing can stop it. However, I won't let you be the sacrifice," he said, his thumbs gently caressing my cheeks. "I can't be that selfish person, Athena. I just can't."
Tears streamed down my face as I realised that if that were to happen, I would lose something irreplaceable....my baby.
But could I change Sebastian's mind? Perhaps not.
"Okay," I nodded, sniffling. "I understand. I won't force you to make a choice against your will. But please, just tell me that... we can save our baby. Please."
His eyes shimmered with tears, and though uncertainty clouded his gaze and his breathing trembled, he nodded and spoke the words I longed to hear, "Yes. We can save our baby, and... we will."
Whether it was a genuine belief or a desperate reassurance, those words infused me with strength. They provided me with a pillar of support, a glimmer of hope amid the chaos surrounding us.
"Just stay with me..."
"I will always be by your side, Athena. Forever."
And...He pulled me into his embrace.
****
"It's a boy," Tristan announced.
"It's... a boy?" My voice quivered, struggling to conceal the overwhelming flood of emotions.
The sensation of motherhood was both foreign and profound, a mix of warmth and apprehension. The desire to protect the tiny soul growing within me intensified, knowing that a life was taking shape. I still couldn't believe that I was becoming a mother and the innocent soul inside my belly felt truly safe in my embrace.
A smile tugged at Sebastian's lips as he squeezed my hand.
"Congratulations to both of you," Tristan beamed at us. "The baby could arrive at any time now."
The mention of the imminent arrival caused both Sebastian's and my smiles to fade.
"Speaking of that, Tristan, the medication you prescribed was meant to control the growth. So, what could have caused this sudden acceleration?" Sebastian's voice carried a hint of suspicion. "You mentioned discussing it after the ultrasound. What are your thoughts now?"
I couldn't pinpoint why, but Sebastian's tone raised my own sense of suspicion.
What is he alluding to?
Tristan's gaze shifted to Sebastian, his eyebrows raising ever so slightly, seemingly catching the hint of suspicion in his tone. However, he didn't dwell on it for long.
"Well, about that..." he began, "I believe the initial dose was insufficient to control the growth, and now it will be even more challenging to monitor the baby's development as he enters the penultimate phase, where primal instincts become stronger."
"So, you're suggesting we increase the dosage?" Sebastian inquired.
"Yes, that would be my recommendation, and we can see how it works. However, there is a possibility that it may not be effective, given the significant leap in growth we've witnessed. We've also lost a considerable amount of time," Tristan sighed. "The case is becoming more complex, and—"
"Doc, I don't want my mate to take any more drugs without knowing the potential reactions," Sebastian interjected. "This abnormal growth could be a direct result of the medication, no?"
"I'm not sure what you're implying, Sebastian," a slight frown formed on Tristan's face.
"I'm no longer relying on that medication," Sebastian stated firmly. "I strongly believe the abnormal growth is a reaction to that drug. Just a day after taking it, I saw my mate on the brink of death. So she will not be taking that medicine anymore."
Tristan's face momentarily contorted with what appeared to be, perhaps, amusement? But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"I think you're right," Tristan nodded, his expression serious now. "Considering Athena's condition and the unpredictable growth of the baby, we can't be certain of anything. Even the slightest mistake could lead to severe complications. Although that medication is typically used for pregnant women with no reported negative reactions, we can't afford to take any chances." He removed his gloves and discarded them in the bin.
As my eyes flickered to Sebastian, I could sense his surprise at Tristan's response. What had he been expecting? And what thoughts were swirling in his mind?
Something was not clicking right. It was perplexing.
While Tristan washed his hands, I tugged at Sebastian's sleeve. "What's wrong?" I whispered.
He shook his head, offering me a reassuring smile before planting a tender kiss on my forehead. "Nothing, love."
"So, perhaps it's best to keep her off any medication for now," Tristan continued as he turned back to us. "I believe we can manage the situation without it, at least for the time being. However, I will provide you with a new prescription, just in case there's another sudden growth spurt. It will help alleviate her pain and provide some relief. Let's see how things progress, alright?"
Sebastian nodded hesitantly. "Okay, let's see how things unfold."
"Stay strong, Athena," Tristan turned his gaze towards me, a genuine look of sympathy shining in his eyes. "I'm afraid there's not much we can do except rely on you. The battle is yours, and while your mate and I can offer some support, it ultimately rests in your hands."